Finland: economic issues at forefront of elections

(Vatican Radio) Finnish voters went to the polls on Sunday with hopes that a new government will pull the country out of its three-year economic slump. Prime Minister Alexander Stubb of the conservative National Coalition Party conceded the election just after the official projections were published. "The winner of the elections is clearly the centre party," said Stubb, who then turned to Juha Sipilä and congratulated him on his win. That means that Prime Minister Alexander Stubb is likely to be heading out of office, just ten months after taking over from his predecessor Jyrki Katainen.

Click below to hear the report from correspondent Matthew French

His National Coalition Party could remain in government despite being dislodged as the largest party, if they can thrash out a deal with Juha Sipilä and his centre-right Centre Party.During the election Finland's economy has been the main issue with Mr Sipilä pledging to create more than 200,000 jobs in the next 10 years. Juha Sipilä told the assembled journalists that he hopes to help create some 80,000 new jobs in the next four years, and that China is an important international partner for Finland.

A year of stagnation in 2014 was preceded by two years of recession and unemployment now stands at 9.2%.

Mr Sipilä, an IT millionaire, was relatively unknown in Finland until he became leader of the Centre Party three years ago. Though it is unclear clear who Mr Sipilä will choose to form a coalition with, a grand coalition incorporating both Social Democrats and National Coalition is unlikely. SDP leader Antti Rinne has said he would find it difficult to enter another coalition with the NCP. Finns Party chair Timo Soini, meanwhile, had an emphatic message after his party managed to retain its spot among the 'big four'. "We are here to stay," said the self-declared populist Eurosceptic. Mr Soini's  party turned down a place in government four years ago over the controversial EU bailouts for Greece. Soini will now be expected to enter into serious discussions about joining a coalition.